Above:Simonson group in front of their low temperature measurement system. Pictured from left to right: Alex Antonacci, Commack High School student Gloria Kim, Jaskarun Pabla, Adam Bender, and Jack.

Jack's group performs experimental research in the field of condensed matter physics. We study the properties of materials in proximity to zero temperature magnetic phase transitions and metal-insulator transitions. The strong mutual interactions between charge carriers near these transitions lead to a wide range of technologically important properties -- including high temperature superconductivity, huge thermoelectric power coefficients, colossal magnetoresistance, and half metallicity -- even if the physics of these strongly correlated materials is not yet fully understood. We synthesize high quality single crystals of new materials in our lab on campus, seeking to uncover the roots of such properties and to develop next generation materials for energy applications. We characterize our samples by collaborating closely with groups at Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University and by performing neutron and x-ray scattering experiments at national facilities.

Below left: A single crystal of YFe1-xSb2 grown in our lab and never before synthesized in single crystal form. The length of one square on the grid is equal to 1 mm.

Below right: Farmingdale student Oscar Weke (left) and Jack investigating new single crystals under the microscope..